4 stars
Content warning: injury detail, kidnapping of a minor, attempted murder, intentional damage to property and personal image, (historical) child neglect and emotional abuse mentioned

Thank you to the author and publisher, via NetGalley, for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

I rather enjoyed this tale. The marketing is on point - The Nanny's Handbook is truly Mary Poppins-coded whilst set in a Regency era, with Bridgerton-esque characters, a boatload of charm, rambunctious children, a small mystery to resolve, and found family as a focal point. I really enjoyed Emmeline and how she navigates her first employment after becoming a Parasol Academy graduate. The whimsical fae magic is a small aspect of this story, but it helped keep the magic never far when assisting in placating children's whims, cleaning up ones messes (👀 iykyk), and saving the ones she cared about. Fantastical elements aside, the story is infused with soft character growth, neurodivergence rep done in a time-appropriate manner, and a lot of delightfully witty prose.

Emmeline's struggles with her family's past decisions and trying to protect all those she cares about are rewarded by her Duke when he acknowledges that someone must care for her too. I liked that this book was dual perspective, so we could understand Xavier's machinations, and read how he reacted internally to falling for a woman below his societal status, with the bonus of him learning about love in the many forms it can come in after a terrible upbringing. The romance is well-paced, despite instant attraction, and whilst I will admit I did feel the romance overshadowed core growing points for the storyline and other characters towards the end, it is believable and interesting. The ending is absolute perfection, and really dished out on the warm fuzzies.

Overall, I had a good time with this book, and if you like cosy fantasy that's heavy on the romance, or historical romances that dabble in fantasy, you may enjoy this book a good deal.

Sweet and saucy, just as a historical romance should be! And this one has a dash of magic - even better.

Emmeline was a joy, so exuberant and positive even as she was trying to stay afloat and support her dad. Her mishaps with magic and teleportation brought her into the orbit of Xavier, the slightly eccentric duke and it was pure kismet! These two were meant to meet. The way they appreciated each other for who they were, their meetings in his office to go over the day's events, their time with his wards - ahhh - it was all so lovely. Xavier couldn't get enough of Emmeline, his respect, admiration and longing for her was unmatched. He was also just a cinnamon roll who could be fierce when it came to his family. He really didn't want to be a duke, he just wanted to spend time working on his clocks - wholesome king! And Horacio the raven was a funny addition, I love an animal familiar type of aspect.

Our two main characters were from totally different social classes but they broke barriers and showed such tenderness for each other. Emmeline & Xavier both experienced hardships and it made them such empathetic people to each other and the people around them. Fantastic neurodivergent rep in a historical context. Also this was the perfect combination of romance and fantasy, the magical elements added to the story but definitely did not overpower it. I'd be keen to read more books from this world though because I need the whole lore about the Parasol Academy and how the fae factor in.

Shout out to Aussie author Amy, always here to support a local author in the romance/romantasy space.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this truly heartwarming and cosy ARC!

Like again, everything is there, but the execution is disgusting. The writing, characters, and dialogue are all bland and thus just blend and smudge together. Like it’s cute, but there’s absolutely barely any romantic chemistry or tension. Nothing.
2.5

This is a light historical romance set in the 1850s with a bit of magic thrown in. I very much liked Emmeline, the magical nanny and the Parasol Academy where she trained. I also thought the three children, wards of the Duke were delightful and would have liked to see more of them, especially their interactions with Emmeline and the neurodivergent Duke. Horatio the Raven was also excellent.

I’m not much of a romance reader, so I didn’t really buy into the instant love experienced by Emmeline and the Duke and found it got a bit boring that they were instantly star struck with each other each and every time they met. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if there had been more magic and whimsy, more of the delightful children and less emphasis on the romance, which I would have preferred to see develop slowly, but understand that lovers of HR may disagree. Overall, an entertaining read and I did enjoy the ending.

Perfectly magical in every way! A historical romance with a perfect dash of Fairy Magic, saucy-talking crows and a representation of neurodivergent couple. It’s more a Mary Poppins than Bridgerton vibes. Minimal spice (not really closed door). But a laugh-out-loud & whimsical read. Would recommend for an uplifting book slump cure.

Light as a feather! Frothy and amusing - and a little bit silly – and so entertaining 😄 Chanelling 'Mary Poppins', Emmeline is a newly graduated nanny from the Parasol Academy. She has some magic, all carefully prescribed by the Nanny's Handbook. Emmeline is a little bit accident prone, but enormously good hearted and she's super keen to do a good job as a nanny so she can support her family. Her father is in Newgate Prison and she's estranged from her brother, but it's all lighthearted as Emmeline sails from one dilemma to the next, always interpreting the Nanny's Handbook to her own advantage.

Enter Xavier, the Duke of St. Lawrence. Xavier is a hyper-focused on his clocks, and his neurodivergence is little understood in Victorian London. The Duke has recently taken responsibility for three orphaned children - (would you believe) nicknamed Harry, Barry and Gary 🤭 and so needs a nanny. The children are fabulous - especially Harry, as is Horatio, Xavier's crow, who is key to solving the meddling mystery.

The romance is very sweet, and I loved how Emmeline was the teacher in all things love. Their romance is offset by a nefarious plot to meddle with the Duke's clock-making project. The villains are villainous, the children are cute and precocious, the hard-ups are struggling, and it’s very tidy. Xavier does a spot of pining for Emmeline, but he is very busy with his clocks.

Quibbles are that there could be a bit more shade, especially around Emmeline's family, and strange events at the Duke’s house seem to be more annoying than terrifying. We don’t see much of a range of emotions, especially for Emmeline who is pragmatic at all times, even in the steamy moments she shares with the Duke. Events happen in two weekly intervals, which leaves time for reflection but stretches everything over months, not weeks.

Everything is neatly resolved, and there’s a lovely HEA for Emmeline and Xavier, and his wards. I love the clocks, and all things horological, and the period detail of early Victorian London life is vivid and clever. The bustle of the Great Exhibition was so much fun!

Thank you Amy Rose Bennett, Simon & Schuster Australia and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

This was a charming read, with something of a "Mary Poppins meets Bridgerton" vibe going onto it. Especially of note is Xavier, the love interest, because he was specifically neurodivergent coded, and it felt refreshing to have a character with these traits, and handled in a manner that felt very appropriate to the period: ie, considered odd and maligned by his relatives. This could have been amped up a little more, because the traits did feel more like idiosyncrasies than features that would actually determine whether someone was considered "fit for society", but the author's portrayal felt respectful.

Emmeline was a delight - the sunshine to his grumpy reservedness, and the children - especially Harry - were a lot of fun. I did enjoy the mystery around the tampering - although I did feel that the truth could have been delivered in a less direct manner. It would've been fun if it involved a little more detective work. Aside from that, my only other complaint was that the intimate scene occurred right in the middle of the action; I was more interested in finding out what sort of sabotage the insiders had in mind rather than reading about bedroom funtimes - and thus ended up skimming it to get back into the actual drama.

Overall, a fun read. It also led me onto a bit of a wiki-dive, as I investigated the authenticity of having plasters in the 1850s (and discovered sticking plasters were invented in 1920), and golden syrup (which was invented in 1883). Author was completely accurate with baking powder though - it was first created in 1843 by Alfred Bird, as an alternative to yeast, as his wife was allergic.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for providing a digital copy to review*

This book is for those who grew up loving Mary Poppins and are now obsessed with Bridgerton. He’s a lord with a particular interest and who finds it difficult to socalise with other people. She’s a Parasol Nanny (not just a regular nanny) who is in charge of caring for his three wards. While they shouldn’t be anything more, they kept getting drawn to each other.

So this is like a forbidden romance. It’s set during the Victorian period, so any kind of relationship between a Lord and a servant is a big no no. But of course, that's what makes it so much better. It’s dual POV, and I loved seeing how both Xavier and Emmeline were trying to fight their attraction to each other but eventually needed to give in. While they both tried to act proper, there were times when they got extremely flirty, which just made me kick my feet. It did feel a bit insta-love, which I’m not generally a fan of, but I did enjoy seeing their romance develop.

Both characters felt well-rounded, and I really resonated with Xavier. He is ostracized by the society he lives in, with them viewing him as strange and mad. He’s generally not comfortable around people and doesn’t know how to socialise. These are things I often struggle with, and it was nice seeing him find someone with whom he could connect.

With Mary Poppins, I always had the question of how is she doing all of this magic? Well, in this story, we have an explanation. I loved this interpretation and found all the little spells Emmeline does so cool.

This is just a charming and magical cosy romance that is just something fun to read. Cause sometimes we just really need it.

📚 Book Review: The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes by Amy Rose Bennett

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | NetGalley ARC | Historical Fantasy Romance

A magical nanny, a tea-hating duke, and children named Harry, Barry and Gary? Count me in.

I’ve read and enjoyed Amy Rose Bennett’s historical romances before, but this one takes a delightful detour into romantic fantasy territory—with a generous sprinkle of humour and a touch of Dangerous Damsels à la India Holton. If you’re a fan of tongue-in-cheek narratives, magical mayhem, and strong heroines with slightly chaotic tendencies, you’re in for a good time.

👒 Enter Emmeline Chase:

A graduate of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses (yes, it’s as fabulous as it sounds), Emmeline isn’t exactly the Academy’s most conventional alum. With her teleportation mishaps, street smarts, and a flair for colourful language, she’s not your average prim-and-proper childminder. But what she lacks in polish, she makes up for in heart, loyalty, and just the right amount of magical (and martial arts) intervention.

🕰️ Enter the Duke of St Lawrence:

Xavier, our tea-averse horologist (yes, I was suspicious of him too—what duke doesn’t like tea?), is tasked with looking after his three unruly young wards while juggling a top-secret assignment. Emmeline’s sudden arrival throws a spanner in his precisely timed works, but despite the chaos she brings, he finds himself drawn to her—possibly against his better judgement.

🥄 Vibes & Voice:

The tone is rollicking and fun, complete with cheeky chapter headings and a narrative voice that occasionally leans into parody. Think Monty Python meets Mary Poppins—if Mary Poppins had teleportation issues, and bloody good right hook. It’s a departure from Bennett’s usual style, and while I didn’t dislike it, it occasionally tipped a little too far into farce for my taste. Still, it was entertaining throughout.

💘 The Romance:

Slow-burn, with a hefty dose of mutual bafflement and unresolved tension. The attraction between Xavier and Emmeline doesn’t properly simmer until about halfway through, and while the romance isn’t the main focus for the first half, it pays off eventually. I also appreciated the sensitive portrayal of Xavier’s neurodivergence and Emmeline’s unshakable loyalty, especially to the children and her family.

👶 Speaking of the Kids:

Absolute standouts. Harriet, Bartholomew (Barry), and Gareth (Gary) are chaotic, clever, and endearing—Harriet in particular, who is also neurodivergent, is handled with care and nuance. The found-family vibe really shines here, and honestly, I’d read a sequel about other magical nanny misadventures.

🕵️‍♀️ Bonus Mystery Plot:

There’s a sabotage subplot, magical intrigue, and important clocks at stake, but it all meshes pretty well with the domestic mayhem. Plot-wise, there’s a lot going on, which does pull some attention away from the romance, but adds a layer of fun and pace to the story.

Final Thoughts:

Charming, chaotic, and cheerfully magical. A touch Monty Python, a touch Enola Holmes, and entirely entertaining. I’d happily read more in this style from Amy Rose Bennett.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Need better copy can not read this downloaded edition as it keeps repeating itself. Can a new copy please be loaded. No rating.

'The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes' is such a fun Victorian era romance! Emmeline Chase is a certified Parasol Academy nanny which gives her access to some of the Fae's magic. After accidentally teleporting onto his roof, she is employed by the Duke of St. Lawrence to care for his wards: his three lively orphaned cousins.
I absolutely adored Harry, Gary, and Barry, and loved getting to know them and seeing their relationship with Emmeline and Xavier grow over time. I would have liked to see more mischief from them after Emmeline got the job, but they were still delightful additions to the story.
The romance between Emmeline and the Duke was really sweet and I enjoyed seeing them open up to each other, as well as the tension due to the complication of their jobs and Xavier's title.
I also really loved the representation of Xavier as an autistic person in a time where they were not understood. It was lovely to see Xavier learn to accept his differences as part of him, rather than seeing himself as 'mad' and 'difficult' like he was raised to believe.

The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes was a delightful tale that blended the magic of Mary Poppins with historical romance. Emmeline and Xavier were both delightful characters and I was happy to get behind both of them right from the start, both as individuals and as a pairing. The story was engaging and moved at a good pace throughout, leading to a satisfying conclusion. The magical elements were well handled and nicely explained, but the show was stolen by a certain witty bird (as you will see if you read the book). Overall, an extremely enjoyable read that kept me entertained. I would certainly read more from this author in the future. I am giving this book 4.5 stars.